Fun Winter 2016

This winter we got a TON of snow!!  The kids are at the perfect age to enjoy spending long amounts of time playing in the snow (glad we're finally past those days of spend 20 minutes dressing them in their snow clothes to only spend 5 minutes outside).  I love playing in the snow with my kids!  Even though Dax wasn't a snow fan (we didn't take him out at all) we were still able to have a lot of fun outside this winter! 

It snowed SO much, Stewart had to shovel the snow off our roof several times (he was worried the roof wouldn't be able to handle the weight of the snow, plus the rain we'd get with it!)  Look at that fun mound of snow between our kitchen and garage!  He then shoveled the snow out of this little nook so that it wouldn't flood into our basement (the window is covered by snow here!)

 We were so lucky to find a great deal on a 4-wheeler and got it on Christmas morning.  We broke that puppy in all winter long, sledding around town, and at my parent's house.  It was one of our favorite things to do!

 Addison asked Santa for a sled this year and that's what she got!  It was perfect, since our plastic sleds from last year kicked the bucket while sledding.  Below, Brogan tried using a kayak to sled on, but it didn't work too well.

 We enjoyed having our friends come sledding with us!  Sydnee Rasmussen brought her crew out and we had a blast!  Grandpa Jensen, and Stewart were both pulling 2 sleds at a time!  SO FUN!

 Our Miniature pony Boomer (Addison got him just before school got out) didn't look so miniature in the snow!  Grandpa Funk was worried he was going to walk right over the fence.

 Along with the beautiful weather came some beautiful skies.  When the sky is especially beautiful, we like to say that Cash is painting for us.  It sure helps keep him close.

 Addison and Brogan loved being of service with all this snow!  We loved going to Grandpa Funk's after big snow storms and shoveling/snow blowing paths to the shop for him, restocking his wood pile, and visiting.  (Although the first time we went to "rescue" my 88 year old Grandpa, he'd already hand dug his own path to the shop) ;) Here is a good representation of how deep the snow was!

 The kids loved playing in the mounds of snow where the snow plow turned around at my parent's house. 

 Me and Sydnee.

 

One day I pulled the kids on the 4 wheeler over to the fairgrounds and they sled down the big hill.  I figured they'd only climb it once or twice, but they stayed and climbed and sledded for almost an hour!

  

Stewart loved running the snow blower this winter!  We did our best to keep Grandpa Funk all cleared out, then he'd go around town helping people who hadn't done it yet.  Such a good guy he is! 

 

This year the kids were old enough to do ski school!  (Technically, Brogan was a year young, but we figured with how outgoing he is, he'd pass as a 6 year old) ;)  These kids are little skiers!  After the first day of ski school, Brogan felt the need for speed.  He loved going straight down the bunny hill as fast as he could.  Addison was just the opposite.  She liked the take her time, and instead of making wide turns, she'd cut wide and crash just before she turned.  It was a lot of climbing up and down the bunny hill for me those first two weeks, but by week 2 Brogan went up on the ski lift with my friend Jay.  He got a taste of the big hill and realized he NEEDED to be a "turner".  The next week he focused on his turns MUCH better :) 

By the 4th session, my Dad and I went up and rented skis so we could ski with the kids.  They did awesome in their ski school, and we were able to hit the big hill the rest of the day.  It's amazing how skiing is a lot like riding a bike!  I was surprised that after all these years it just came back to me, and I enjoyed it SO much! 

Brogan continued to feel the need for speed, and was pretty fearless, and turned with ease.  Addison was still more hesitant, and felt like she was going to ski right off a cliff.  She did great with her turns, but just took her time :)

 Brogan liked to ride the lift with me.  He's still so short, I pretty much had to pick him up every time.  One time I didn't have a good enough hold on him, and he slipped down and the chair ran right over him.  Poor little dude! HAHA!!  He's always been resilient though, and it didn't phase him much.

 Cautious Addison liked to ride with Grandpa, who kept a firm arm around her at all times, and lifted her onto the chair each time without fail.

 Such a fun day skiing with my Dad and kids!

 Grandpa and Brogan were matching!

 Addison working her way down the hill

 Such cute little skiiers!  Can't wait for next year!